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How Washington's Recent Power Shift Has Affected Post-Abortive Hearts

October 2010

By: Sydna Massé

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).

For those who hold life-affirming views, recent events surrounding abortion at the legislative level have left us bewildered, distraught, and even hysterical. There is clear reason for alarm. The U.S. government seems adamant in expanding abortion rights at a level we never anticipated — both here and around the world. The responsibility that God has given us in defending life has never been deeper. Yet, as the verse above outlines, the Lord is using the weak things of the world (abortion) to shame the strong. Most in the pro-life/life-affirming work seem to have missed significant fallout from this recent power shift!

Did you know that pain within the unhealed heart of the post-abortive individual is triggered every time the word abortion is used? Because it is no longer possible to avoid this term in the media, abortion's wounded are now seeking out recovery programs at a record rate. This is the revival that we have prayed for since abortion became legal in 1973. Most of us never anticipated that the floodgates of post-abortive individuals seeking healing would come as a direct result of the success of pro-abortion legislative efforts!

Reaching the Deeply Wounded

On the opposite extreme are post-abortive people who are digging deeper into their denial, refusing to consider that this word sparks any pain. These souls can writhe in unexplained turmoil whenever the word abortion is featured. Because they hold onto the belief that their abortion was a good choice, this unexplained struggle often leads them to believe they are going crazy. The enemy is having a field day in our nation today. But God remains on His throne with a very specific plan in these recent developments.

Post abortion syndrome (PAS) individuals who embrace a never-surrender mindset on abortion may become empowered by the ongoing use of this term, participating more vehemently in promoting abortion rights. Their fight not to feel pain requires a great deal of emotional strength. Anger is a close ally in this endeavor. These are the faces on the pro-abortion picket lines that rage against life-affirming hearts.

When you encounter these wounded individuals, I beg you to be compassionate and loving. Embrace the mindset outlined in Proverbs 15:1-3,y "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." God loves the hardest of hearts and wants to use you to bring them to His saving grace and mercy. We must respond in a godly manner at all levels of this debate.

Avoidance Behaviors

As a Christian teenager, I made the decision to abort my first child. Before God's love broke through my heart's wall of denial surrounding this choice, I was very careful to avoid the word abortion. Initially, in an effort to prove to myself that my abortion had been a good decision, I volunteered for a presidential campaign specifically because they support a woman's right to choose. As a then-college student, I agreed to make phone calls encouraging people to vote for them. With a sheet of paper in front of me, I made my first contact with a potential pro-abortion constituent. Everything went fine until I hit a bullet point near the end of the page that listed the word abortion.

When I vocalized that word, I immediately short-circuited. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't finish the conversation. Afterwards I struggled to understand my reaction. It was impossible for me at that time to admit that I had done anything wrong in choosing abortion. Within a few days, I was able to put the experience out of my mind. My defense mechanism to avoid anything to do with the word abortion was then established. Upon leaving that campaign office, I felt great relief. Returning to that campaign was out of the question! I realized that the abortion term meant pain to my heart. I diligently worked to avoid reading or speaking that term. Through the years working with tens of thousands of women who chose abortion, I've discovered this is a common defense mechanism.

Messages of Hope

With the increased media coverage regarding the abortion issue, walls of denial in post-abortive souls are certainly being weakened and will eventually come tumbling down. When that happens, these individuals must know where to turn for help. The following advertising themes can effectively begin their understanding that their abortion may be the source of their internal torment:

"ABORTION HURTS! RECOVERY CLASSES FORMING!"
"HURTING AFTER ABORTION? RECOVERY CLASSES FORMING!"
These words also assist in educating that abortion is not a peaceful or harmless choice. Abortion's secondary wounded (those who are related to the post-abortive or who participated in an abortion choice) need to understand why their loved ones may be experiencing a new agony. This advertising is also a key to making abortion an unthinkable option in the minds of our youth. If the term abortion is coupled with hurt, many will avoid making this choice fearing the potential for regret.

The Role of the Non-Post-Abortive Voice

I'm convinced the non-post-abortive person is capable of being very effective in spreading the news of God's healing to hurting hearts today as well as educating that abortion hurts those who choose it. Your compassionate voices are strong and steady and personally demonstrate God's love and mercy to all. These messages stand apart from the abortion rhetoric. We need your strength to face this pain. There simply aren't enough stable post-abortive hearts to do this work alone! Never feel discredited in this work because you have not experienced abortion. Whenever you share about your life-affirming efforts, be sure to address the wounded hearts in listening range with God's hope of healing. Your compassion is a gift to our lives!

Conclusion

Please remember that God is on His throne and knew about this power shift long before the world was formed. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 is an essential message to remember in your work through God's empowerment to spare women and children the pain of this choice. "God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." God's nullification of abortion rights is just around the corner. When that day arrives, it will be very obvious to everyone that God was responsible for that victory.

Sydna A. Massé is the founder and president of Ramah International whose mission is to encourage post-abortion healing throughout the world. She authored the book, Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion (David C. Cook Publishing, 2009). For more information, visit www.ramahinternational.org or contact Sydna at 941-473-2188 or write to Sydna@aol.com. Ramah International, 1776 Hudson St., Englewood, Florida 34223.